Track shunting apparatus



Aug. 10,1937. B. E.V OHAGAN 2,089 837 TRACK SHUNTING APPARATUS Filed July 1, 1935 NVENTOR Berward E; Z/agazz BY 622W H16 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 10, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRACK SHUNTIN G APPARATUS Application July 1, 1933, Serial No. 678,629

25 Claims.

My invention relates to track shunting apparatus of the type involving means carried on a vehicle for applying a potential to the rail surface to disrupt the resistance film formed on such surface and thereby decrease the rail contact resistance.

The present invention is an improvement on the apparatus disclosed and claimed in an application for Letters Patent of the United States,

1 Serial No. 644,180, filed by me on November 25, 1932, for Track shunting apparatus; and one object of the present invention is the provision of means for increasing the potential applied to the rail surface in the event that the normal potential fails to disrupt the resistance film.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view showing one form of track shunting apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing a modification of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the views.

Referring first to Fig. 1 of the drawing, the reference characters R and R designate the track rails of a stretch of railway track, which rails are divided by insulated joints to form a section CD. This section is provided with a track circuit including a track relay K connected across the rails at one end of the section,

and a transformer U the secondary of which is connected across the rails at the other end of the section through a current-limiting impedance The primary of transformer U is supplied with alternating current from a suitable source,

the terminals of which are designated X and Y.

The remaining apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 is arranged to be carried on a rail vehicle. The reference character MG designates a motor generator set comprising an alternating current generator G driven by a motor M which receives current from a battery B. A transformer Tl has a primary winding 3 which is supplied with current from the generator G, through a circuit which normally includes the entire Winding 3 5 and a current-limiting reactor l3, as well as front points of contacts l4 and I5 of a normally energized relay R. When relay R becomes deenergized, opening its front contacts and closing its back contacts, the voltage of generator G is supplied to less than the entire primary winding 3, and a portion of the reactor [3 is cut out of the primary circuit, thereby increasing the voltage applied to the secondaries of transformer TI and also increasing the short circuit current of these secondaries.

Transformer TI is provided with two secondary windings 4 and 5, having substantially the same number of turns. Winding 4 is connected across the two rails of the track by means of suitable contact shoes 6 and 9, or by means of .5 two staggered wheels of the vehicle, whereas secondary winding 5 is similarly connected across the rails by means of contact shoes 1 and 8, ortwo other staggered wheels of the vehicle. The polarities of the two secondary windings are so chosen that the voltages of these windings will be series-aiding and will therefore be effective to cause current to flow over the following path: from the upper terminal of secondary 4, through a primary H] of a transformer T2, shoe 6, rail R shoe 1, secondary 5, primary ll of trans-- former T2, shoe 8, rail R and shoe 9, to the lower terminal of secondary 4.

The primary windings Ill and H of transformer T2 are so connected in the secondary circuit of transformer Tl that the currents supplied to these secondary windings by transformer Tl aid each other in producing fiux in the core of transformer T2. The secondary 12 of transformer T2 is connected with the input terminals of a rectifier E, and the output terminals of this rectifier are connected with the winding of a direct current relay H. The parts areso proportioned that when the film between the contact shoes and the rails is broken down, the voltage induced in transformer secondary l2 will be sufficiently high to keep relay H energized, whereas when the film is not broken down, so that current fails to flow in the secondary circuit for transformer Tl, relay 1-1 will become deenergized.

The relay R is provided with a stick circuit which includes front contact l8 of relay H and front contact I! of relay R. Relay R is also provided with a pickup circuit which includes front contact ll! of relay H and a normally open push button P.

An indicator lamp Ll is provided with a circuit including a front contact IQ of relay Hand front point of a contact N5 of relay R. A second indicator lamp L2 is provided with a circuit including a front contact 20 of relay H and back point of contact N5 of relay R.

The operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 is as follows: Normally relays H and R are both energized, so that the entire primary winding 3 of transformer TI is supplied with current from generator G, and the entire reactor I3 is included in the primary circuit, so that normal voltage is then applied to the secondary circuit of transformer Tl. Indicator lamp Ll is then lighted. If current ceases to flow in the secondvoltage applied to the secondary circuit for transformer Ti, and if'this increased voltage serves to break down the increased rail film resistance. relay II will again pick up. Indicator lamp L2 will then be lighted to show that relay R a with a circuit which includes the may be picked up by closing push button P.

The reason for including push button P in the pickup circuit for relay R, is to prevent the pumping of this relay which would otherwise occur if the increased. voltage should break down the film and if the film should fail to remain broken down after the voltage is again reduced to its normal value. When relay R is open, the elimination of some of the turns of reactor 53 from the circuit of primary 3 serves to increase the short circuit current of transformer Tl, thereby assisting in decreasing the resistance of the rail film.

Relay R. is preferably slow acting in character to prevent this relay from releasing during momentary interruptions of the secondary current, such as might occur when the vehicle passes over insulated rail joints. 7

' Referring now to Fig. 2, the push button P of Fig. 1 is replaced by a slow pickup relay E, which may have a considerable time element, such, for example, as 10 seconds. Relay F is provided o ck point of contact 15 of relay R, front contact no Although I have herein shown and described only two forms of apparatus embodying my in-v vention, it is'understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from'the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination with a stretch of railway track and a rail vehicle thereon, a circuit including a rail of said track and a source of current on the vehicle for breaking down the resistance film on the rail surface, and means on the vehicle for increasing the voltage applied to said circuit and increasing the short circuit current therein in the event of failure of the flow of current therein from said source.

2. In combination with a stretch of railway track and a vehicle thereon, a transformer on the vehicle having a secondary circuit including a short section of at least one track rail, a source of current on the vehicle normally connected with the entire primary of said transformer through a current limiting impedance, and means responsive to the failure of current flow said secondary circuit to connect said source with less thanthe entire primary and to cut a portion of said impedance out of the primary circuit.

3. In combination with a stretch of railway of relay H, and the winding of relay F, so that this relay track and a vehicle thereon, a transformer on the vehicle having a secondary circuit including a short section of at least one track rail, a source of current on the vehicle normally connected with the entire primary of said transformer through a current limiting impedance, and means responsive to the failure of current flow in said secondary circuit to connect said source with less than the entire transformer primary.

l. In combination with a stretch of railway track and a vehicle thereon, a transformer on the vehicle having a secondary circuit including a short section of at least one track rail, a source of current on the vehicle nor ally connected with the entire primary of said transformer through a current limiting impedance, a relay receiving current from said secondary circuit, a second relay having a stick circuit including its own front contact and a front contact of said first relay, a pickup circuit for said second relay including'a front contact of said first relay and a normally open push button, and means op erating when said second relay is open to connect said source with less than the entire primary of said transformer.

5. In combination with a stretch of railway track a vehicle thereon, a transformer on the vehicle having a secondary circuit including a short section of at least one track rail, a source of current on the vehicle normally connected with the entire primary of said transformer through a c rrent limiting impecance, a relay receiving current from said secondary circuit, a second relay having a stick circuit including its own front contact and a front contact of said first relay, a pickup circuit for said second relay including a front contact of said first relay and a front contact of a slow pickup relay, a circuit for said slow pickup relay including a back contact of said second relay, and means operating when said second relay is open to connect said source with less than the entire primary of said transformer.

6. In combination with a stretch of railway track and a rail vehicle thereon, a circuit including a source of current on the vehicle and a rail of said track for breaking down the resistance film on the rail surface, a relay receiving current from said circuit, a second relay having a stick circuit including its own front contact and a front contact of said first relay, a pickup circuit for said second relay including a front contact of said first relay and a normally open push button, and means operating when, said second relay is open to increase the voltage applied to said circuit. r

7. In combination with a stretch of railway track and a rail vehicle thereon, a circuit including a source of current on the vehicle and a rail of said track for breaking down the re. lstance film on the rail surface, a relay receiving current rom said circuit, a second relay having a stick circuit including its own front contact and a front contact of said first relay, a pickup circuit for said second relay including a front contact of said first relay and a front contact of a slow pickup relay, a circuit for said slow pickup relay including a back contact of said second relay, and means operating when said second relay is open to increase the voltage applied to said circuit.

8. In combination with a stretch of railway track and a rail vehicle thereon, a circuit including a source of current on the vehicle and a rail of said track for breaking down the resistance film on the rail surface, a relay receiving current from said circuit and closed as long as current is flowing in the circuit, and means responsive to the opening of said relay for increasing the voltage applied to said circuit.

9. In combination with a stretch of railway track and a vehicle thereon, a transformer on the vehicle having a secondary circuit including a short section of at least one track rail, a source of current on the vehicle normally connected with the entire primary of said transformer through a current limiting impedance, a relay receiving current from said secondary circuit and closed as long as current flows in such circuit, and means responsive to the opening of said relay for connecting said source with less than the entire primary of said transformer.

10. In combination with a stretch of railway track, a rail vehicle traveling thereon, a transformer on the vehicle having two secondaries each of which is connected across the two rails of the track in such manner that the instantaneous relative polarities of said connections are opposite so that said two secondaries are in series and the circuit including them also includes a portion of each track rail, a source of current on the vehicle normally connected with the entire primary of said transformer through a current limiting impedance, a relay receiving current from said secondary circuit, a second relay having a stick circuit including its own front contact and a front contact of said first relay, a pickup circuit for said second relay including a front contact of said first relay and a normally open push button, and means operating when said second relay is open to connect said source with less than the entire primary of said transformer.

11. In combination with a stretch of railway track, a rail vehicle traveling thereon, a transformer on the vehicle having two secondaries each of which is connected across the two rails of the track in such manner that the instantaneous relative polarities of said connections are opposite so that said two secondaries are in series and the circuit including them also includes a portion of each track rail, a source of current on the vehicle normally connected with the entire primary of said transformer through a current limiting impedance, a relay receiving current from said secondary circuit, a second relay having a stick circuit including its own front contact and a front contact of said first relay, a pickup circuit for said second relay including the front contact of said first relay and a front contact of a slow pickup relay, a circuit for said slow pickup relay including a back contact of said second relay, and means operating when said second relay is open to connect said source with less than the entire primary of said transformer.

12. In combination with a stretch of railway track, a rail vehicle traveling thereon, a transformer on the vehicle having two secondaries each of which is connected across the two rails of the track in such manner that the instantaneous relative polarities of said connections are opposite so that said two secondaries are in series and the circuit including them also includes a portion of each track rail, a source of current on the vehicle normally connected with the entire primary of said transformer through a current limiting impedance, a relay receiving current from said secondary circuit, and means operating when said relay is open to connect said source with less than the entire primary of said transformer.

13. In combination with a stretch of railway track and a vehicle thereon, a transformer on the vehicle having a secondary circuit including a short section of at least one track rail, a source of current on the vehicle normally connected with the entire primary of said transformer through a current limiting impedance, a relay receiving current from said secondary circuit and closed as long as current fiows in such circuit, and means responsive to the opening of said relay for connecting said source with less than the entire primary of said transformer and cutting a portion of said impedance out of the primary circuit.

14. In combination with a stretch of railway track, a. rail vehicle traveling thereon, a transformer on the vehicle having two secondaries each of which is connected across the two rails of the track in such manner that the instantaneous relative polarities of said connections are opposite so that said two secondaries are in series and the circuit including them also includes a portion of each track rail, a source of current on the vehicle normally connected with the entire primary of said transformer through a. current limiting impedance, a relay receiving current from said secondary circuit, a second relay having a stick circuit including its own front contact and a front contact of said first relay, a pickup circuit for said second relay including a front contact of said first relay and a normally open push button, and means operating when said second relay is open to connect said source with less than the entire primary of said transformer and to cut a portion of said impedance out of the primary circuit.

15. In combination with a stretch of railway track, a, rail vehicle traveling thereon, a transformer on the vehicle having two secondaries each of which is connected across the two rails of the track in such manner that the instantaneous relative polarities of said connections are opposite so that said two secondaries are in series and the circuit including them also includes a portion of each track rail, a source of current on the Vehicle normally connected with the entire primary of said transformer through a current limiting impedance, a relay receiving current from said secondary circuit, a second relay having a stick circuit including its own front contact and a front contact of said first relay, a pickup circuit for said second relay including the front contact of said first relay and a front contact of a slow! pickup relay, a circuit for said slow pickup relay including a back contact of said second relay, and means operating when said second relay is open to connect said source with less than the entire primary of said transformer and to cut a portion of said impedance out of the primary circuit.

16. In combination with a stretch of railway track, a rail vehicle traveling thereon, a transformer on the vehicle having two secondaries each of which is connected across the two rails of the track in such manner that the instantaneous relative polarities of said connections are opposite so that said two secondaries are in series and the circuit including them also includes a portion of each track rail, a source of current on the vehicle normally connected with the entire primary of said transformer through a current limiting impedance, a relay receiving current from said secondary circuit, and means operating when said relay is open to connect said source with less than the entire primary of said transformer and to cut a portion of said impedance out of the primary circuit.

a rail vehicle adapted for travel thereon, a transformer on said vehicle having a primary supplied with alternating current and two secondaries reversely connected across the rails of the track with the points of connection with each rail spaced longitudinally so that the two secondaries are in series in a circuit which includes a portion of each rail, a second transformer on said vehicle having two primaries each'included in the connection between one of said secondaries and a track rail and so wound that the currents fiowing therein from said secondaries produce aiding fluxes, a relay receiving energy from the secondary of said second transformer, and means for in creasing the voltage applied to the rails by said first transformer when said relay is open.

18. In combination, a stretch of railway track, a rail vehicle adapted for travel thereon, a transformer on said vehicle havin a primary supplied with alternating current and two secondaries reversely connected across the rails or" the track with the points or" connection with each rail spaced longitudinally so that the two secondaries are in series in a circuit which includes a portion of each rail, a second transformer on said vehicle having two primaries each included in the connection between one of said secondaries and a track rail and so wound that the currents flowing therein from said secondaries produce aiding fluxes, a relay receiving energy from the secondary of said second transformer, and means for increasing the voltage applied to the rails by said first transformer and increasing the short circuit current in said rail circuit when said relay is open.

19. In combination, a stretch of railway track, a rail vehicle adapted for travel thereon, a transformer on said vehicle having a primary supplied with alternating current and two secondaries reversely connected across the rails of the track with the points of connection with each rail spaced longitudinally so that the two secondaries are in series in a circuit which includes a portion or each rail, a second transformer on said vehicle having two primaries each included in the connection between one of said secondaries and a track rail and so wound that the currents flowing therein from said secondaries produce aiding fluxes, a relay receiving energy from the secondary of said second transformer, a second relay having a stick circuit including its own front contact and a front contact of said first relay, a pickup circuit for said second relay including a front contact of said first relay and a normally open push button, and means operating when said second relay is energized to increase the voltage applied to the rails by said first transformer.

20. In combination with a section of railway track and a vehicle thereon, a transformer on the vehicle having an input winding energized from a vehicle-carried source of current and having an output winding, a circuit including a rail of said track and said output winding for breaking down the resistance film on the rail surface, and means on the vehicle for increasing the voltage of said output winding in the eventoi failure of the flow of film breakdown current in said circuit. 1

21. In combination with a section of railway track and a vehicle thereon, a transformer on:

the vehicle having an input winding energized from a vehicle-carried source of current and having an output winding, a circuit including a rail:

of said track and said output winding for breaking down the resistance film on the rail surface, and means on the vehicle for increasing the voltage of said output winding and increasing the short circuit current in said circuit in the event of failure of the flow of film breakdown current in said circuit. I

22. In combination with a stretch of railway track and a vehicle thereon, a transformer on the vehicle having an input winding energized from a vehicle-carried source of current and having two output windings, a circuit including both of said output windings and a short section of each track rail series for breaking down the resistance films on the rail surfaces, and means on the vehicle for increasing the voltage of said output windings in the event of failure of the flow offilm breakdown current in said circuit. In combination with a section of railway track and a rail vehicle thereon, a circuit including a rail or" said track and a source of current on the vehicle for breaking down the resistance film on the rail surface, and means responsive to the current fiowingin said circuit for increasing the volt-ampere input to said circuit in the track a rail vehicle thereon, a circuitincluding a rail of said track and a source of current on the vehicle for breaking down the resistance film on the rail surface, means responsive to the current flowing in said circuit for at times increasing the voltage applied to said circuit, andother means also responsive to the current flowing in said circuit for at said times increasing the sl'lort-circuit current in said circuit.

25. In combination with a section of railway track. and a-rail vehicle thereon, a circuit including a rail of said track and a source of current on the vehicle for breaking down the resistance film on the rail surface, a relay energized in accordance with the magnitude of the current fiowing in said circuit, and means controlled by said relay for increasing the voltage applied to said circuit in the event or" failure of the flow of current therein from said source.

BERNARD E. OHAGAN. 

